IIT Guwahati Research Associate & JRF Recruitment 2026

IIT Guwahati is hiring 1 Research Associate and 1 JRF (GATE) for a DBT-funded research project on microalgae-based CO2 capture and biofuels. If you have a PhD in Engineering (for RA) or a postgraduate degree in Engineering with a valid GATE score (for JRF), you can apply online through the R&D recruitment portal. The online interview is scheduled for 1 September 2026. Selected candidates will get a monthly pay ranging from Rs. 43,660 to Rs. 68,440 (inclusive of HRA).

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) Research Associate and JRF Recruitment 2026 - 2 Posts

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) has released a notification for 2 posts — one Research Associate 1 and one JRF (GATE) — under a DBT (Department of Biotechnology) funded project at the Department of Chemical Engineering. The project is titled "Developing and demonstrating microalgae-based CO2 capture and biomass valorization towards high-performance biomanufacturing of sustainable aviation fuel and biopesticide". No written exam is required — selection is based purely on an online interview. This is a good opportunity for engineering PhD holders and GATE-qualified postgraduates interested in cutting-edge biofuel research.

IIT Guwahati is one of India's premier engineering institutes, located on the banks of the Brahmaputra in Assam, and regularly runs sponsored research positions for centrally-funded projects like this one. This particular project is funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, and focuses on scaling up microalgae cultivation for carbon capture while converting the harvested biomass into valuable products such as sustainable aviation fuel and biopesticide. Working on this project gives you hands-on exposure to applied biofuel and bioengineering research at a national institute, under the guidance of Prof. K. Mohanty in the Department of Chemical Engineering.

Vacancy Breakdown

Both posts are purely temporary appointments tied to the duration of the DBT-funded project and are recommended for an initial period of 11 months each.

Who Can Apply?

For Research Associate 1 (Rs. 68,440/month):

• You need a PhD in Engineering, preferably in Energy, Environment, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Biosciences, or Bioengineering.
• You must have at least 2 first-author publications on microalgae CO2 capture, microalgae-based biofuels, or microalgae biorefinery.

For JRF - GATE (Rs. 43,660/month):

• You need a postgraduate degree in Engineering selected through a valid GATE score.

If you are unsure which post fits your profile, the Research Associate 1 post is meant for candidates who already hold a doctorate and have published research in the relevant area, while the JRF (GATE) post is aimed at postgraduate engineers who qualified GATE and are looking to start a research career.

Salary

• Research Associate 1: Rs. 58,000 basic + Rs. 10,440 HRA = Rs. 68,440 per month.
• JRF (GATE): Rs. 37,000 basic + Rs. 6,660 HRA = Rs. 43,660 per month.
• Both positions are for an initial duration of 11 months, extendable based on project requirements and performance.

Selection Process (No Written Exam)

Selection is based entirely on your performance in the interview:

1. Online Interview: Shortlisted candidates will appear for an online interview on 1 September 2026 at 10:00 AM. The video call link will be shared only with shortlisted candidates.

While the interview is conducted online, the scheduled venue on record is the Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Guwahati. For any clarification about the project, you can contact the Principal Investigator, Prof. K. Mohanty, at kmohanty@iitg.ac.in or 0361-2582267.

How to Apply

1. Go to the IIT Guwahati R&D Recruitment Portal at iitg.ac.in/rndproj/recruitment/.
2. Search using the exact project title mentioned in the advertisement to find this vacancy quickly, since the portal lists multiple ongoing projects at IIT Guwahati.
3. Fill in the online application form for Research Associate 1 or JRF (GATE), as applicable.
4. Upload your documents and submit the application carefully, following all instructions and guidelines on the portal.
5. For technical help with the online form, email ernd@iitg.ac.in.

Important Dates

• Online Interview Date: 1 September 2026
• Interview Time: 10:00 AM onwards

• Carry out research experiments related to microalgae-based CO2 capture and biofuel production
• Analyze experimental data and prepare technical reports
• Support the DBT-funded project's day-to-day research activities
• Maintain laboratory records, safety protocols and equipment
• Collaborate with the Principal Investigator and other project researchers
• Contribute to drafting research papers and project documentation
• Present findings during project review meetings